Labradors Millie and Perron settle into roles as Perth Children’s Court newest facility dogs

Court can be a scary place, but these pups make the process a little less scary for WA kids.

Labrador Millie and Perron took over as Perth Children’s Court’s facility dogs following the retirement of Winston, the court’s first facility support dog, in October last year.

Juvenile Court President Judge Hylton Quail said that despite their different personalities, the two had gotten used to their new roles.

“Perron is a very loud dog and Millie is a bit more chill and relaxed, but they both still fulfill that really important role in the nursery,” he told The West Australian.

Millie and Perron, ages three and four respectively, work two days a week, which provides a positive distraction for children going through the justice system.

Judge Quail said children and families attending court were often anxious, and the dogs added a calming presence to the court’s holding area.

“Children are often very nervous when they come to court and they often have to wait a long time before going to court, so the dog really makes the waiting area easier,” he said.

“The impact of the dog goes beyond the child interacting with the dog…the impact actually extends to the rest of the waiting area.

“People behave better around a dog, as if they don’t want to do something bad in front of the dog.”

Facility dogs are allowed in the courtroom and even used to help children testify, he said.

“Kids can be very, very nervous, so the dog can help them focus and listen to the judge because they’re relaxed,” he said.

“I now also use dogs in our special witness area and I think this is where we have the most potential going forward to obtain better evidence from child witnesses.

“We’ve done this many times, and in some of the cases I’ve done with young children, I’ve found that there was a dog in the room… There were situations where I wouldn’t have been able to obtain evidence from the child if the dog hadn’t been present.”

Roshin Jones, the facility’s canine officer, said children were allowed to pet, cuddle and play with Millie and Perron.

“We see so many smiles and so much excitement when kids see the dogs,” she said.

“We spend a lot of time having longer interactions with the kids, (the dogs) can play games with them or settle in with them.”

He said Perron, who has only been in the role for about five months, is a welcome addition to the juvenile court.

“We’re so lucky to have him,” he said.

“He’s very willing, he’s very enthusiastic, he loves being here and we’re trying to make it fun for him.”